Now Commenting On:

Hairston admits to lingering shoulder discomfort

Hairston admits to lingering shoulder discomfort

10/16/11: Jerry Hairston hustles and dives into first for an infield hit, then remains in the game despite obvious pain after the slide

By Ken Gurnick
/
MLB.com |

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Dodgers infielder Jerry Hairston, signed to a two-year, $6 million contract during the offseason, revealed to the club Saturday that he's been playing with a right shoulder still injured from last year's playoffs.

Hairston, who has five throwing errors in 10 games, said he was examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache after batting practice Saturday, had anti-inflammatory medication prescribed and said that doctors expect him back on the field as soon as Sunday.

Hairston said his shoulder -- badly jammed on a head-first slide into first base as the Brewers were being eliminated from the playoffs -- was cleared during the presigning physical exam, and he thought it was healed after an offseason of therapy, but when Spring Training started, the pain returned.

"I tried to keep it under wraps," he said. "It was the last game of the playoffs, and I injured it really bad. It's been tough. I want to play no matter what. But today, I told Donnie [manager Don Mattingly]. The first two weeks of Spring Training were tough. Now it doesn't hurt, but in my mind sometimes, I try to protect it. I have to get the inflammation out so I can just go out and play.

"The Dodgers were aware [at the time of the signing]. I have a strong right arm. Obviously, hitting's not a problem [.324 this spring]. Everything in there is stable. I've just got to get over a little hurdle. I'm glad there's 10 days left before the season so I can clear my head and get it right where it needs to be."

Mattingly said Hairston on Friday mentioned that he had trouble with his throwing motion "at a certain point, he felt it got stuck there. You have to be a little concerned."

Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.